Love that Looks Like Jesus—A Story from Croatia

Summarized by Joseph Taylor

After twenty‑seven years of faithful ministry, the Church of the Nazarene in Zagreb, Croatia, has finally purchased its first ministry building, a long‑prayed‑for milestone made possible through the global Alabaster Offering. For nearly three decades, this congregation has walked alongside neighbors from across Croatia and around the world, growing into an international church marked by evangelism, discipleship, and compassionate ministry. Through all those years, they continued to pray for a permanent home.

In January 2026, those prayers were answered. With Alabaster support and the generosity of Nazarenes everywhere, the church secured a sustainable ministry center in the heart of Croatia’s capital. This new building will anchor their current ministries and serve as a launching point for future disciple‑making and church multiplication.

Missionaries Jeremy and Reetu Height describe the congregation as a beautiful mosaic of nearly ten nationalities. Some members came to Croatia seeking a better life, some fled war, and others followed Jesus even when it meant leaving their home countries because of persecution. The Heights say it has been a privilege to journey with such a diverse and resilient community.

One of their most moving moments came over coffee with neighbors from Ukraine. These war‑weary families shared how difficult it has become to hold onto faith in the midst of loss and uncertainty. Then one mother quietly said, “I don’t know if I still believe in God, but when I read about Jesus in the Bible — your church does look a lot like Him.”

Her words capture the heart of this story: a church that looks like Jesus, loves like Jesus, and now has a home where that love can continue to grow.

After twenty‑seven years of faithful ministry, the Church of the Nazarene in Zagreb, Croatia, has finally purchased its first ministry building — a long‑prayed‑for milestone made possible through the global Alabaster Offering. For nearly three decades, this congregation has walked alongside neighbors from across Croatia and around the world, growing into an international church marked by evangelism, discipleship, and compassionate ministry. Through all those years, they continued to pray for a permanent home.

In January 2026, those prayers were answered. With Alabaster support and the generosity of Nazarenes everywhere, the church secured a sustainable ministry center in the heart of Croatia’s capital. This new building will anchor their current ministries and serve as a launching point for future disciple‑making and church multiplication.

Missionaries Jeremy and Reetu Height describe the congregation as a beautiful mosaic of nearly ten nationalities. Some members came to Croatia seeking a better life, some fled war, and others followed Jesus even when it meant leaving their home countries because of persecution. The Heights say it has been a privilege to journey with such a diverse and resilient community.

One of their most moving moments came over coffee with neighbors from Ukraine. These war‑weary families shared how difficult it has become to hold onto faith in the midst of loss and uncertainty. Then one mother quietly said, “I don’t know if I still believe in God, but when I read about Jesus in the Bible — your church does look a lot like Him.”

Her words capture the heart of this story: a church that looks like Jesus, loves like Jesus, and now has a home where that love can continue to grow.